An Unexpected Source

1 Now you shall gather yourself in troops,
daughter of
troops.
He has laid siege against us.
They will strike the
judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.
2 But you, Bethlehem
Ephrathah,
being small among the clans of Judah,
out of you
one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose
goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore he
will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives
birth.
Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children
of Israel.
4 He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength
of YHWH,
in the majesty of the name of YHWH his God.

World English Bible

Great people sometimes come from the smallest of places. Their
origins keep them connected to the common folk and turn their stories
into legend. J. C. Penney, John Rockefeller, and even Bill Gates had
common beginnings. What they did not share with other people was an
uncommon vision and a burning desire to make their vision a reality.

Micah wrote the passages about Bethlehem in the midst of foreign
invasion. The Assyrians, who destroyed the northern kingdom of
Israel, now threatened Jerusalem itself. As a prophet, Micah
condemned the city for its sins, but promised a time of renewed
glory. And the restoration would begin in most insignificant of
places, just as David, Israel's greatest king, came from the
shepherding fields around a small village.

Such would be the case for the coming Messiah, Israel's leader at
the end of time. He would seem to come from nowhere, yet, his linage
would be from ancient times. He would be something new to get excited
about, yet his pedigree would be impeccable. [1]

Until his time, Israel would be scattered among the nations. But
his birth would be the sign of Israel's return to its homeland. [2]

Continuing the theme of David, the coming Messiah would rule (like
a shepherd) in God's strength and in God's name. So great would his
reign be, that it would extend to the ends of the earth. [3] Notice,
his rule was peaceful, just like the pastoral image of shepherding
depicted. [4]

Jesus was born in the smallest of places, did not travel more than
50 miles from his home in his life, left no personal writing, and
died a humiliating death. Yet, his vision of God's kingdom and his
burning desire to see it fulfilled has changed the world.

How have we seen Christ's vision and desire fulfilled
in our
lives?

Fourth Sunday

in Advent

Cycle C

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